WASHINGTON  The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $500,000 National Emergency Grant incremental award to assist Rhode Island with continuing cleanup and recovery efforts in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy.

"Rhode Islanders are still cleaning up after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy," said Acting Assistant Secretary for the Employment and Training Administration Gerri Fiala. "This additional funding will provide much needed assistance for these ongoing efforts, while also providing temporary work to those in need of employment."

On Nov. 3, 2012, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared three counties in Rhode Island as eligible for its Public Assistance Program: Bristol, Newport and Washington. On Nov. 10, 2012, FEMA also declared Kent County as eligible for its Public Assistance Program. More information on designated disaster areas in Rhode Island is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4089/designated-areas.

Subsequent to the FEMA declaration, the department's initial grant was approved on Nov. 6, 2012, for up to $1,500,000, with $500,000 released initially. This latest incremental funding of $500,000 brings the total NEG funds awarded for this project to $1 million.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor's discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state's ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, visit
http://www.doleta.gov/NEG/.